This week’s elections in the Palestinian territory marked a major shift and upheaval in Middle East Politics. While the obvious to all is the surprise of the Hamas organization taking over as lead political authority in their territory, there is a deeper meaning to this all that I’d like to explore and its relation to what is happening in the solar power industry.
The fact is that Hamas is a popular party. They were voted in democratically. Without taking any sides in this case, I am simply pointing out that the people have spoken and no force can hold down the groundswell caused by the grassroots of a society when it gains enough momentum to become its collective will.
Same goes for solar power. Years ago it was scientists and treehuggers. Now, it’s the business of power. And yet much of the reason it made the transition is due to the political will of some countries to revolutionize power. They had needs that were not being fulfilled. Countries like Germany and Japan where the density of population is high and the cost of having bad air in a small area is therefore very high. This led to the need to develop alternative energy programs. Through them they drew investment and job creation, but most importantly, industry leadership. The lead that these two countries have in the world race to engage renewable power will only be caught up to in decades.
In comes California…finally! Again with a tremendous grassroots support, Governator Arnold knows he can get through Renewable Energy programs like the massive one he has proposed (and hopefully will use our Sunsei Construct solar slate!). Adding $3Billion of funding to a $10billion worldwide industry puts one helluva dent in solar power demand!
So as we see the democratization of the Middle East (arab sector) through organized elections in the Palestinian Territory, Iraq, Lebanon (and even municipal ones in Jordan), we see the democratization of power (the choice of the people expands). I truly believe that as the availability of solar power increases, the more people will demand it as their source of energy, and eventually it becomes a great circle of growth for all those involved in the industry.
The “establishment” utilities therefore are faced with two choices..jump on board the groundswell of popularity or become a dinosaur. Funny how power and politics are so similar?
Power to the people.
Sass Peress